In partnership with CIM Forum and BEYOND Studio, the British Council presented a one-and-a-half-day programme on the creative economy as part of CIM Forum 2025, in Kotor back in May 2025. We brought together over 70 policymakers and creative leaders from more than 15 countries, creating space for new ideas, stronger networks and shared regional–UK perspectives
The creative industries play a crucial role in generating employment, attracting investment, and increasing exports, while also contributing to place-based regeneration and the preservation of cultural heritage. By convening voices from across the Western Balkans and Wider Europe region including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan alongside the UK, the event facilitated connections, encouraged cross-border exchange, and supported the sustainable growth of the creative industries.
Watch the full conference
The first day of the conference was fully livestreamed and you can access the insightful conversations exploring policy, innovation and the future of creative spaces, identifying shared priorities and long-term opportunities for deeper UK engagement across the Wider Europe creative economy.
Deeper dive with the speakers
In addition to the official programme, we had the opportunity to interview a handful of speakers to get their insights and expertise on specific topics:
- Alicia Tkacz, Partner at STUFISH (UK): How is performance design evolving with new technologies and audience expectations?
- Andrew Chitty, Professor of Creativity and Innovation (UK): How have policies can support the growth of the UK’s creative industries?
- Elene Toidze, Director of Creative Clusters Alliance (Georgia): How can international collaboration and locally driven strategy help build a thriving creative economy?
- Eroll Bilibani, Head of DokuLab at DokuFest (Kosovo): How can the creative economy build bridges between communities?
- Gillian Easson, Co-founding Director of Creative Dundee (UK): How can creative communities help shape better policy?
- Guy Gadney, Founder and CEO of Charistmatic.ai (UK): How is generative AI reshaping creative processes and be a driver for good?
- Kiran Sethi, Programme Manager at Factory International (UK): How can spaces shape creativity?
- Milivoje Gorgevic, CEO of FX3X Studio (North Macedonia): How can the creative industries reinvent themselves to stay ahead of innovations?
See also
Tags:
- Art Form: Creative Economy
- Region: Europe Wider Europe